Rach’s Shouts of Joy (and Rants)

Its not that i don’t trust. Its just that i’m unsure.

It was so long ago. But i just have a funny feeling. This odd naggy feeling.

Obviously, i should just trust. Cos afterall, its me.

Oh well…

Anyway, woke up really early yesterday to make blueberry muffins. And it was FAB!!! totally yummy! And like the name of the recipe, it was literally “To Die For”!

Its that good! Really that good. Taste sooo yummy! And yay, taking tips from the reviews, i added one teaspoon of vanilla essense and an extra splash of milk. Its really heavenly. Its so good that i can sell them! They’re really bakery-standard! I cannot stop raving on how delicious they are. So good that they kill. Killer muffins! haha… a fren suggested that i call them suicide muffins instead. -_-” (*EDITED: I decided to CREATE KILLER MUFFINS!!! check them out at the bottom of the post!!!*)

Look at them!!!

This recipe has a topping for it. and i think its this topping that gives it a professional-look. But the muffin base is totally yummy.

I’m gonna try with fresh blueberries the next time, then with dried berries…

I’m so inspired to have a muffin shop now! Muffins are one of the easiest things to bake. But yes, there are tricks to create a good muffin. Key tip: Do NOT over fold the mixture. Or the muffin would turn out hard and dry. Most people think that the mixture should be smooth, but in actual fact, it should be lumpy. Don’t over stir/fold it to make it smooth, cos you’ll only kill the muffin.

Back to my muffin shop. Well, yes, i’ll bake all kinds of muffins. Gosh, i have so many ideas for the different kinds of stuff i can put in a muffin! Haha… day dreaming AGAIN!

But yes, i always wanna start a little business of my own. Use my hands, to create things(like craft stuff, my jewellery) or bake/cook stuff, or teach kids…. i know its not easy, but i think it’ll be a good experience… Get a few good friends and run it together…

Anyway, yay! i finally have a new bus service outside my house that brings me straight to Parkway, Bugis and Holland V! haha… the convinience! =)

After all this positivity… hehe… i’m feeling better already! Not forgeting a little assurance sure helps…

(*EDITED: Check out my KILLER muffins! hahahahaha… *)

Haha… do they look “killer”-ish enough? Okok, i was bored… humour me? =)

Spent the whole of yesterday clearing my room. It was in a huge mess and i kept holding it back… cos i was, basically too lazy to do anything. Then decided to just clear it yesterday. Now i’m only left with my pile of notes to clear.

Been thinking alot.

Why? Why do things never turn out the way i think they would turn out?

Life is never fair isn’t it? Or should one go all out and make it fair for oneself? Cos if one dun try, one would always feel that everything is to his/her disadvantage?

Bump into something today…And blah, i feel fat again. Haha… i think i know what to do about that!! Hmm…until today, i’m still figuring what is it that made it so appealing. IMHO, plain is how i would describe it. Sometimes, i just think that men can be so superficial in thinking. But then again, mine isn’t all that fantastic too…Maybe cos to me, it’s still too good to be true. So i doubt its validity? Or maybe i’m just too blind to see anything else. Oh well…

Anyway, on a totally different matter….Thank you for listening. I will be stronger. But pls dun give up on me. Don’t ever give up on me.

I trust you… =)

I declare myself a good kisser.

Muack muack muack muack muack….

Why? Ahh… read on to find out more…

Anyway, let me digress first… I LOVE CAR RIDES. I do! I think i’ve always loved car rides since i was a little girl. Daddy would bring us out, and we would just drive along… sometimes to a really ulu place in Singapore and explore… from the Kent Ridge parks, to Sembawang, to Upper Bukit Timah, Yio Chu Kang…. or just short car trips… I would look out the window, and watch the world pass me by. And i would see people go about in their daily lives. Then i imagine myself, in their shoes at that very moment. And not forgetting, seeing all the interesting sights and sounds along the way.

And noticed, i said, I love car rides, where someone else is driving… NOT me… haha… that means, i need to find someone to drive me around! Haha… i know, i’m spoiled! Haha… And hehe, my guy can drive! Yay! Just that we need a car to really go gallivanting… But yes, there is a reason why i like someone to drive… cos i realise that its on these trips that i think alot. Think about my life, whats going on, and yah, just pure meditation.

And i love it.

It can be so relaxing. Thinking away… haha, you can call it day-dreaming, but i beg to defer… i think it can be good for the soul. Helps me keep in touch with the serious side of me.

Anyway, i thought about several things today. Some really nonsensical. Some serious and really thought-provoking.

One of the nonsense ones- Gosh, i got several friends who are married! I mean, look at me. I’m almost 21. So are my friends, they are 21 this year. And they have decided to settle down. Not the ‘friendster-married’ kinda couple.

BUT a real REAL REAL married couple.

I mean, there are so many of us who play ard with the status thingy in friendster. Haha… since we are soooo in love with the guy/gal we are with, we become ‘Married’ status. But in actual fact, we are just ‘In a r/s’.

These friends of mine, made the choice to marry the man that they will go through the rest of their lives with. Have a couple of kids, buy a car, buy a house, grow old with all the wrinkles and dentures. Gosh. I admire them for taking this step. This step which i feel is HUGE.

I am not saying that i have a commitment -phobia. I don’t! I’m very happily attached now. My guy is one of the sweetest fellows ard. He surprises me every once in a while with really amazing stuff, spoils me ever so often and somehow, under all the playing/bullying/”tension-creating” sessions, he understands me deeply and makes me wanna be a better person. Haha… hmm, and i wouldn’t mind marryin’ him!!!

But yes, come on, come on… i’m only a 20-going-to-be-21 student studying in NTU. Marriage? Gosh, i’m still worrying about my grades, about trying to get into MPE, about how i can catch up after completing my ‘dabao’-ed modules. And not forgeting, i’m not even financially independent… i’m still so dependent on dear daddy to give me pocket money. So, i really admire my friends who are willing to take the next big step.

Can you imagine? Every single thing they do, they have to consider about their spouses. And they need to plan about everything together. Be together in sickness, and in health, in good times and bad, till death do they part.

I guess, i feel that it takes a level of maturity to accept and be ready to marry someone. And well, i can safely conclude for myself… nope… not yet. I’m still such a baby. A big big baby. Still need a lot more maturity to reach THAT level. But yes, at the end of the day, i would say, “Yes, i wanna get married.”

I’m not the kind who would live my life a bachlorette till the end time. I realise, i need the companionship. The guy cum supporting pillar in my life. Yes, i am an independent girl but still, i need a man… i’m not the ultra independent type.

Oh well, so much for that thought of mine.

Having guests over at my place later. My dad’s colleagues. And we went shopping for some fruits. And we ended up at Pasir Panjang Wholesale centre. Saw lotsa lotsa fruits at cheap cheap prices… saw super strawberries which i’ll be getting for my birthday party and lotsa veggies too… lotsa greenery… hehe…

Somehow, we seem to be in a market-mode today. Cos later on, we went to chinatown to grab some egg tarts and chicken pies and we went to the market to visit my grandpa. My maternal granddad still sells fish and seafood at the market. He’s like really old, but i guess, it keeps him occupied and he enjoys doing it.

Took photos along the way…

Look at all the greenery…

Lotsa lotsa veggies……… i think a goat would be happy seeing all these.

Fish and squid at grandpa’s store in Chinatown…

I had a fishy-good time taking these pics…

Now…

Why did i declare myself a good kisser?

Well, daddy bought a whole carton of cherries… 9 kg full of cherries. Yummy!

And you know what people say about being able to tie a knot with the cherry stem by just using your tongue… well, if you can do it, you are deemed a good kisser!

And after struggling with the cherry stem for a short while………………..

I DID IT!!!!!!!

Its not easy! BUT I DID IT!!!!

Yay!!! I’m a GOOD KISSER!!!! Muahahahahahaha………………..

Haha….

But then again…

who can judge me but my significant other??? Haha… Its up to him to decide on whether i’m good, isn’t it?

Hai~~~

So much for my cheap thrills again…. =)

One week really flies past very fast.

Before you know it, it’ll be Monday again.

Anyway, had my 1st driving lesson yesterday. I must say that it was fun. Just that i need to constantly remind myself to slow down and learn how to control the accelerator and brake gently. And it was a rather comical lesson, but i shall not describe everything here, else, i’ll be the laughing stock again!

Have been busy preparing for my party. Wreaking my brains on how to make it the best. Not forgetting since i have a special dessert event. Well, i wanna let my friends and family members go home with a gd memory. So, to make it memorable, i’ll have to plan and execute everything properly. Invitations have been sent out. Dear frens… pls RSVP k? Thank you! And yes, i have been receiving lotsa questions on what i want for my birthday… Gosh… Frankly, i dunno! Haha… let me think about it k? Thanks so much for asking!

Bah… i had something in mind that i wanted to blog about yesterday night, but I was too tired, so i decided to blog this morning instead, and now, i totally forgot what i wanted to blog about… I am suffering from ah-ma syndrome again! Bah!

Will blog again soon… When i remember what i was wanting to blog about! haha…=)

FINALLY! I finally attempted to make a cheesecake today!

I know i have been moaning and groaning about wanting to make a cheesecake… and i FINALLY did it today.

Durian Cheesecake. Yum.

It was good… though i felt it was NOT cheesy at all… but it was a POWER-PACKED. ALL durian lovers would love it.

Well, i decided to make it for Daddy, esp since today is Father’s Day… and he loves durians and enjoy eating cheesecake. But like he said, its like marrying western with eastern. And well, i must say, the east won… hands down! Cos the durian flavour is super strong. I kept saying it should be called a durian mousse cake.

But the verdict?

Daddy loves it! He says that they flavour is great! And i did a good job! Especially for a first-timer!

Well, grandma asked for a 2nd slice!!! Imagine! My Ah-Ma asked for a 2nd slice! Even though she seldom eats lots of cakes, she actually came to the table and asked me to cut another slice for her! Haha… and before that, she was like, “Lee-cher ah…(yes, she cant pronounce my name!), 以后放少一点糖!” And i had to tell her that it was the durian that was sweet and that i already reduced the sugar! haha…

My cousins and other relatives liked the cake too! Haha… i’m so inspired to bake more cheesecakes now!

Haha… and someone commented that if only i had this kind of enthusiasm for studying! Then i’ll do really well and stop getting all the yucky results that i am currently getting… Okok… i get the HINT…

Talking about results. Mugging session is gonna start again tmr. POOR ME. Its the hols and i have to study… BAH… But yes, i know i know, ITS FOR ME OWN GOOD rite? And wow! i got a good deal… someone’s gonna nag and teach me at the same time! *sounding sarcastic* wow! I’m so fortunate. Oh well, i guess, God put him in my life for a gd reason… So, i shall try to think positive now… *smiles to myself*…

Well, on the bright note now…. I tell you!!! I’m soooo blessed! So very very blessed. Before that, let me tell you what happened just before that…

My handmixer that i use for my baking sprees, died-ed on me today. It wasn’t working that well, and yah, it makes a sound when i shake it. So Daddy kindly offered to fix it for me. So, Daddy manages to open it up and fix back the gears.

Daddy: Ok, its done, lets try it.

It starts spinning and spins faster and faster.

Me: Yay!!! it works again! Haha… great!

Then a funny smell started coming out.

Daddy: Oh no! Its burning out!

Me: Looks like we need to throw it away.

Daddy: Well, this kind of machine is lousy… Few dollars… literally disposable…

Me: *looking sad* huh? so we are REALLY really gonna throw it away? (I’m a really sentimental and i made like 2 whole mango butter cakes with it! And other yummy stuff!)

And yah, so, there you have it… my beloved lousy handmixer ‘kaput’ed on me.

So, where is the point that being blessed comes in? Well, i was talking with my aunties just now, and my auntie offered to let me have her mixer! After she got married, she moved to her new house and she never brought her mixer with her cos she didn’t have the space in her new house. And so she left her at my grandma’s place. And she told me to take her mixer! YAY!!! WOW! I’m so blessed! Grandma’s gonna dig it out for me from the dark storeroom. I’m so excited… I don’t have to buy one! Haha… and i was bugging my mum to get me one! hehe… Now, i dun need to!

Anyway, here are the pics of the cake. I didn’t really take many pics, but yes, here they are!

The biscuit base…. digestive biscuits! my fav!

Haha… i almost forgot to take a pic of my completed cake.. but when i was halfway thru cutting, i remembered! and took a pic!

Haha.. as you can see, the crust is overly crumbly… i’ll need to make a thicker base next time. and yes, compress it more!!!

Oh well, its late… gotta catch some zzzz… study session… gotta recharge this brain of mine… really for unlimited input-ing of maths and everything associated with engineering…

Cheerio!

Registered for my subjects yesterday.

It was like a battle.

And i didn’t get 2 subjects! Bah!

On the bright side… Remember this page well. Cos i’m gonna change my skin soon! In the process of editting and finding the right stuff to put on. Its gonna be summery-tone again. Cos yah, to suit my sunshine personality i guess. Somehow, the other colours just dun really appeal to me.

Tmr is Father’s day! Hmm… still thinking of what to do! hmm… feel like making durian cheesecake… will see my mood tmr… haha.. Yes, you saw it right, MY MOOD…. Well, i need the mood in order to prepare something with passion… haha… Well, i guess, though i do enjoy baking, i need to get the inspiration to do it. And furthermore, i need to get durian first! hehe…

Read this on my daily email devotions today… thought it was rather comical…

Where is God?

In a certain suburban neighborhood, there were two brothers, 8 and 10 years old, who were exceedingly mischievous. Whenever something went wrong in the neighborhood, it turned out they had a hand in it. Their parents were at their wits’ end trying to control them.

Hearing about a Minister nearby who worked with delinquent boys, the mother suggested to the father that they ask the Minister to talk with the boys. The father agreed. The mother went to the Minister and made her request. He agreed, but said he wanted to see the younger boy first and alone.

So the mother sent him to the Minister. The Minister sat the boy down on the other side of his huge, impressive desk. For about five minutes they just sat and stared at each other.

Finally, the Minister pointed his forefinger at the boy and asked “Where is God?” The boy looked under the desk, in the corners of the room, all around, but said nothing. “Where Is God?” Again the boy looked all around but said nothing. A third time, in a louder, firmer voice, the Minister leaned far across the desk and put his forefinger almost to the boy’s nose, and asked “WHERE IS GOD!”

The boy panicked and ran all the way home. Finding his older brother, he dragged him upstairs to their room and into the closet, where they usually plotted their mischief. He finally said, “We are in B-I-I-I-I-G trouble now!” The older boy asked, “What do you mean, B-I-I-I-I-G trouble?”

His brother replied, “God is missing and they think we did it.”

=)

Hehe…

Busy surfing the net for caterers now. And i need to confirm my guest list so that i can email the invitations out! Bah… mummy’s calling… gotta clean my room too! cheerio!

Mummy and Daddy is back… Phew… house-sitting is finally done.

Cooked like crazy… esp when your brother is a huge glutton. Things from making huge shui jiaos packed with prawns, mince pork and water chestnuts. Wanton mee. Fried rice. Fried egg noodles. Baked chicken with buttered vegs and aglio-style pasta. Claypot chicken rice. And not forgetting, all the baking… from quiche to ice cream muffins.

House-sitting is NOT easy. I repeat… NOT EASY. Let me describe a typical day.

Wake up.
Feed my doggy, Fifi.
Clear the dishes.
Boil water.
Make breakfast.
Clear up mess ard the house(which seems to be never-ending)
Wash clothings. which thankfully is once every 2 days.
Hang clothings.
Prepare lunch.
Cook lunch.
Rest/Laze/Bake/Go out.
Clear leaves and mangoes in garden.(which is crazy work… esp now when all the mangoes are dropping like bombs!)
Water the plants. 250 pots of plants is NO joke! and 250 is not the final number!
Prepare and cook dinner.
Wash up all dishes/pots.
Clear rubbish.
Take in clothings.
Fold clothings.
Close up the house, ie, make sure all doors are locked.
Ahhh… done!

See? it isn’t easy. And noticed, i have not even vacuumed and mopped the place. Thankfully, it wasn’t part of my ‘job scope’. We’ll all help in that when my parents come back.

I feel like a full-time housewife. I mean, though in secondary sch, esp in sec 3, i was like the only one in class who was so enthu is sweeping the floor and i kept saying that it was training to be a housewife. Haha… but yah, i never really meant it THAT way. I take back all my words. I wanna work and have my own career too! Haha… probably have my own little business, doing something i enjoy. But yes, i dun complain about all the chores, at least its training to help me know how to run a household! I mean, at least i know that i can take care of myself and others if i were to survive in some place other than home.

I mean, it is good skills to pick up. Makes me more ’street-smart’, more independent. Though we live in a modern world. I feel that woman should still know how to do simple chores and do simple cooking(and NO, when i say simple cooking, i DON’T mean maggi mee with eggs.). Yes, there are maids we can employ or we can eat out everyday. BUT, don’t you think that we should learn some skills that can help in the survival of our lives?

I have heard of stories of woman who are so sheltered that they get ’stuck’ when faced with obstacles.

This lady, never had to do anything in her home. When she got married, her mother-in-law, continued to do everything. One day, M-I-L gets so sick that she cant get up. M-I-L asks her to cook something simple, porraige. She knows she has to wash the rice. But she gets confused when she sees the water getting cloudy. So she washes the rice with SOAP.

Another story. I was in sec 2, home econs class. Teacher asks us to beat the egg. To cook fried rice. And the girl next to me, she LITERALLY, beat the egg. In the beating action. And she was still beating when everyone was getting ready to fry the rice, cos she couldn’t mix the yoke and white properly together. Haha.. i think i helped her in the end.

Some one else i know, doesn’t know how to turn on the stove.

And there’s another who doesn’t know how the washing machine/rice cooker/ vacuum cleaner works.

Ok… maybe i’m making a big fuss, but yes, all my darlings out there. Pls learn some basic skills? its for survival. Trust me, you won’t regret and its not too late to learn. You dun have to know SO much to be a housewife, but at least some basic ones… Learn to be independent!

Gosh. I really look up to my Mummy. She’s the best man! juggling everything. And thank god! She’s home already!

Hehe…=)

Bah. Failed my advance theory. And i have to take it again! Boo… i think i made like one extra mistake. Which made me fail. I was so confident on most of the questions. Except some stupid ones. Really stupid ones. Well, guess i have to continue studying for it.

Have to start serious planning for my party. Know any good caterers anyone? Leave me a tag if you do! And hmm, shall i have a theme party? like… have some theme like “The Sand and The Sea…”, “Hawaiian Nite”, “Nite of Blues…” means, you must wear an item of clothings that has blue!… haha… sounds like fun eh?

I need a jobbbbb…….

I’m getting old. I have NEVER suffered stiff neck for the whole day in my whole life and now i have it bugging the hell out of me now. I CANNOT turn to my left side completely without feeling any pain. BAH! I need someone to help me massage and soothe it… haha… i’m such a whiner rite? Oh, stop it Rachel…

Let me digress…

Dear God, I’m putting everything in your Almighty hands. I trust You and hope that you’ll let me see a miracle. Indeed, it is almost the end, i will continue to be persistant and hope that you will help me through this difficult time. Amen.

Anyway, today’s entry would be dedicated to two very dear people in my life.

First up, Kailin… my bestest bestest buddy in the whole wide world. Babe, i’m sorry i made you so worried and yah, was acting all stuck up. Bah! I hate myself. I’m so sorry. But yes, I’m glad we talked things out and are back to old times again. I love hanging out with you too. Doing literally anything, was just chilling, to baking, to shopping, or just plain ‘nua’ing… And yes, like i told you, you are the only ONE i can safely tell anything and everything. Because i know you wouldn’t judge me differently and would be right by my side no matter what. I was such a fool to forget about you when i was going through that tough time. I’m glad you still love me so much after all. haha… and yes, if only i can marry you, i would! haha…

Anyway, yes, i know you are going through some shit now, and yes, i wanna assure you that i’ll always be here for you. You can come over anytime and we can just hang out, let you forget about your worries and think about pink elephants and listen to all my crappy jokes. Anytime k? I’ll be here.

Well, Kai came over yesterday and we had a wacky baking spree again! We baked a Mango butter cake cos her mummy ordered one whole cake from me. And we baked a quiche! And i’m not bragging but my quiche is getting yummier and yummier. Oooooo…. the flavour is superb! Simply yummilious. Mamamia! And yes, we had a photo taking spree with her new hp. Photos aren’t that clear but yes, with every pic, comes the memories. hehe… Enjoy…

Literally the whole process of HOW TO MAKE A MANGO BUTTER CAKE… hehe…

First, cream the butter and sugar…

Crack in the eggs and put in vanilla essense and mix thoroughly.

Sieve in the floor and baking powder.

Fold in the floor, then lastly, put in the mangoes. Fold in gently…

Spread out the cake mix properly and bake!
Haha… ermm, we were so silly! never take a pic of the completed cake! haha… oh well, IMAGINE then… come on everyone, imagine with me… a nice golden brown cake with a yummy butter mango smell… Ahhhhhh….

=)

The delicious quiche. With cheese, onions, mushrooms and ham… and drizzling on the egg, milk and bisquick mix…

Thats Kai, looking all cheeky… “Yes! I’m learning to bake, from the housewifey-to-be, Rachy!”

The raw, uncooked quiche.

And tada! The completed quiche! Yummy!!!

Ok… had a uni class dinner gathering on Friday nite. Went to Glutton’s Bay to have dinner. All the famous hawker food that are priced pretty exorbitantly… But yes, i think the place is kinda over-rated. But yes, all that matters is the company. Yvonne, if you are reading this, YOU MISSED OUT AGAIN! And we had so much fun! WHY NEVER COME AGAIN??? Haha… k lah, will plan another one for you k?

There were 6 of us, Jian ming, Irene, Anna, Alex, Vin-cy and me. We bought a little bit from all the gd stalls, from carrot cake, to hokkien mee, char kuay tiao, Or Luak and Stingray(Hung Hee hee hee hee hee- haha, some lame joke from me… ) It was totally fun. But unfortunately, just as the fun was beginning, we couldn’t find a gd place that had desserts and aircon, to continue chilling out, so we called it a night. Took some really silly pictures that night. Waiting for Alex to pass them to me… will post them when i get them.

Bah, unfortunately, due to my stupidity, i didn’t have a real chance to see a shocked face that night. And we were all looking forward to it. I’m dumb. I CANNOT keep surprises. I’m lousy lah… i always let out a surprise before it can be carried out! Ahhh… I’m sorry! ^_^

Well, who’s the other person that i wanna dedicate this entry to?

Haha… guess?

My Lobster King! hehe…

Smart. Telepathy. Bully. Sweet-talker. Suaning. Nerd. Surprises. Analytical. Cars. Running. Patient. 猪头. Promises. Water. Ice. Techno music. Gadgets. Cheeky. Confident. Ticklish. Poke-r. Sensitive. Irritating. Cupcakes. Carnivore. Understanding. Awww. Spank. 童话. Monster-trucks. Sleep. Piggified. Appreciative. Encouraging. Teacher. Creative. Computers. Anime. Car-racing games. Sheep. Boat ride. Pasta. Bugis. Interpreter. Solitaire Showdown. Bejewelled. MSN. B28. Wednesdays. Studying. Trouble. Ah-pek. Poetic. Taken.

Tomorrow i have a battle to fight. Gonna slp early. Nitey nite…

Just took this little quiz… haha… interesting results cos i’m surprised how they can relate the animal you choose with the ‘keys’ to your heart… Well, think some of the results are pretty true… Try it too!

Gonna go bake soon! Gonna bake Ice Cream Muffins! Sounds interesting huh? I think it does! So gonna give it a try! Will blog about it and post pics of it soon!

Exams FINALLY over!!!

Well, three more things on my to-do list that i have to try and settle by the end of the week. Phew! Almost done! Yay!

Anyway, i’m praying real hard… hoping for the best now! Trusting in the Lord now cos i know that He can make miracles happen…

Bonjour !

Merci de lire mon blog!
Haha… briefly translated, its “Hello! Thank you for reading my blog!”

Whats with the sudden interest in French?

I’ve fallen in love with this extremely gorgeous French guy and ah… he’s such a great kisser! *muack*……

NOT!

I’m learning the beautiful language! So i’m practising it…

NOT!

Then?!?!? What?!?!?

Well, ok, i ALMOST picked up the language…Why???

Supposed to have flown off to Paris tonight. Had free tics and Daddy wanted to bring my bro and me along. Bring me to experience the city of love…. AHHHH… BUT i had to settle my school stuff first. I guess, my future is more important now. And i guess, Singapore can be a city of love for me now… at least… =)

Gotta house-sit now… sianz! Chores waiting for me! Gosh… but yes, i’ll take it as training.. hehe… yeap, thinking positively again…

Haha… gonna go on a baking spree again! haha… esp since now i’m a little free-er… hehe… hmm… what shall i tackle next? I was thinking of New York Cheesecake… Hmm…wait and see i guess… wait for the ultimate inspiration to come…

For now, as promised to Maddie… the recipe for the Mango Butter cake. Check out some tips i placed below…

Mango Butter Cake

Ingredients:-
200 g Sweet Mango Flesh(diced)
250 g Butter
1 3/4 cup Plain Flour
1 tbsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
2 Eggs
200 g Castor Sugar

Method:-
1. Cream butter and sugar till creamy.
2. Add eggs and vanilla essence and cream till well mixed.
3. Add sifted flour, baking powder and fold in gently.
4. Finally add chopped mango pieces.
5. Greased a round bake pan and pour cake mix into it.
6. Bake in preheated oven 190C for 40 – 50 mins.
7. Remove from pan and cool completely

TIPS:

• Dice the mango into bigger pieces. Cos the mangoes would kinda ‘melt’ into the cake, so, keep them in a bigger form so that you can actually bite into the mango pieces. Prefably, dice into cubes with 1.5cm-2cm length each side.
• Use mango essense to get a ‘more mango’ flavour.
• If cake starts to brown too much on the top, place a sheet of aluminium foil over the cake, to cover the top, and prevent any further browning.

Happy baking! =)

Need to rant and shout out loud… pls bear with me…

I will not give up. Its my future… Why should you control my future? It will even be my ricebowl. So I WILL BUG YOU TILL YOU GIVE ME A SATISFIED ANSWER!!! Mark my words! I WILL BUG YOU!!! I will be very pesistant. VERY! I will fight for it… fight to the very end…

OK… i’m happy…i got it off my chest… will blog about this when i get what i’m fighting for.

Found this recipe recently… and since i enjoy sharing recipes with all… heres one which i think is really nice…

A Recipe for Love

1 Large field
2 People in Love
A pinch of brook and some pebbles
A large expanse of deep blue sky
Several kinds of flowers
Warm sunshine
A Bathtub of cool water

Directions:

Mix people well together. Put them in a field, stirring constantly. Pour pebbles into brook, one at a time. Sprinkle flowers over field. Spread blue sky over all. Bake in warm sunshine. When browned and tired, set away in a bathtub of cool water. You will be delighted with the results.

Enjoy!

=)

Haha… Baking spreeeeeeee…..

Was feeling adventurous this morning and decided to bake a mango cake! Well, you know i have been busy harvesting mangoes off my tree rite? And i have been wanting to try a mango recipe! And thus, was reading Irene’s(Married man’s wifey) blog and she just tried baking mango pound cake. Well, i think its more like Mango Butter cake. And so, since i have NEVER tried baking cakes before, i decided to give it a go.

And wah lah!

My 1st every cake baked all by myself! Look at the mango bits! Yum!

Well, i cut them up all nicely, for me to give them away. I baked one whole cake and my family cant possibly finish it! So i’m blessing some of my friends with the cake! hehe… =)

Another close-up pic…

Anyway, personally, i find the cake a little on the oily side. Its moist and fragrant but i feel that there is a tad too much butter. Maybe i’ll reduce the butter a little the next time. Then it might be more fluffy. But overall, the taste is pretty good.

Anyway, sent my darling Fifi for a trim yesterday! And he’s a botak again! haha… Okok.. not completely a botak but yes, he looks different… oh well, judge for yourselves!

Haha.. i dun have the ‘lion’ look anymore! No more mane!

Ahhh.. but i still have my bushy tail! hehe…

Going out soon…. hehe… so excited!

Blog again soon!

=)

(PS: Caution, pretty long post ahead…hehe… but last part all pics lah… not THAT bad…!)

I’m getting sick! Bah! Silly sore throat and runny nose!!! Someone, pls nag me to drink more water!!! Haha…Must be the combination of the weather, spicy and heaty food i’ve been taking and not enuf rest, that is taking a toil on my body…

It was a super eventful day yesterday…

Baked yummy milk chocolate chip muffins in the morning. It was a success. Hehe… cos they are nice, not too sweet, fluffy, moist and yummy!!! Gosh! It makes me so excited to try baking them again! And they are soooo easy to make!

Sorry the pic is a little blur… haha… dunno what happened lah… must be my shaky hands!

Heres the recipe for those who wants to try! Its soooo easy that a little kid can do it too! Try it when you are free!!!

Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup white sugar ( I used lesser sugar, more healthy!)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons of cocoa powder (optional-I included this on my own! Makes muffins more fragrant and colourful!)
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I used milk chocolate chips)
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease bottoms only of 12 muffin cups or line with baking cups.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips, and salt; mix well. In a small bowl, combine milk, oil and egg; blend well. Add dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened (batter will be lumpy.)
3. Fill cups 2/3 full. Sprinkle tops of muffins before baking with a combination of 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 1 minute before removing from pan. Serve warm.

In the afternoon, I visited my secondary school, TK!!! The feelings were over-whelming. As i walked through the school side gate, all those memories came rushing back to me. I instantly remembered the good old days. Remembered all the makan sessions, changing in the toilet behind the canteen before leaving school, peeping/watching my various crushes, as they went about in their activities and i just day-dreamed about being with them(haha!), remember doing prefect duties at the side gates, ‘catching’ late comers, and all the memories associated with my beloved sec sch, Tanjong Katong Sec.

Walked through the school and realised that the school is still very much the same. Just some minor changes in the canteen. Tried to look for my sec 4 form teacher in the technical workshop but unfortunately, he wasn’t around. Then headed for the HOD office. Picked up the intercom phone and asked for Mr Tan(Kee Hoe) and he was like, “which Rachel? From 4c?” and when he opened the door, he gave me the really shocked face and was telling me how surprised he was. Haha.. he kept going on about how much i had changed(in appearance) and how pleasantly surprised he was to have me visit TK so suddenly. Also saw my chinese teacher, we called her ‘Wu Ze Tian’ cos she was 吴老师. haha… she didn’t really recognise me, but i was glad to see that she’s still the same. I remember after my sec 4 ‘O’ levels chinese results were out, she was so happy and literally sauntered into class saying, “你们班, 4C, 整班及格!!! 连素莹也及格了!!!” haha.. ok, it wasn’t her exact words, but it was something along that line and yes, my point is, yes, my chinese is THAT bad… haha… oh well, as least i passed!! And i can understand and speak and write enough… hehe…

Only saw 2 teachers but yes, i’m trying to arrange one where a group of us can go back, maybe when school reopens, then can ‘catch’ all the teachers!

Anyway, i visited my old 4C classroom. And i actually remembered where i sat in sec 4! And as i sat there, it just brought back more memories and it really seemed that at that very moment, the classroom was alive again, with all of us still there. Playing a fool, making all the silly jokes, literally driving all our teachers up the wall. Haha, according to Mr Tan, our batch’s 4C was indeed one of the more memorable 4C classes there was, all the subsequent ‘4C’s were all rather mild! Haha… Ahhh, i really miss all those days. *grins* =)

Went for really yummy western food yesterday nite! Its really, restaurant style food at hawker prices. I highly recommend the food there. Its really good! Unfortunately, though the ambience is not that gd, but for the food and price, its well worth it! Tips: you can choose 2 sides from a number of sides that they offer, go for the potato salad and seasonal veggies! They are superb! Ok, this western food store is located opposite Katong Mall, in a coffee shop. The store’s name is Astons Specialite and yah, its located at 125 east coast road . I’m doing free advertisement here cos the food is really good and its a waste not to share such good food with all my readers! hehe…

Passed by a really cute shops that specialises in balloons and had a great time in there! hehe… as proven by pictures again….

Come on everyone! PUCKER UP!!! Hehe… do i look like the octopus? haha… =)

A more ‘normal’ looking me with the cute octopus!

Cool eh? And it was assembled by the staff of the shop! And its not from a set or pack, its individual balloons, carefully put together to get this! Impressive huh?

Cough cough cough…. Bah! I hate my throat! Its irritating me! Boo…

Ok, leave yah peeps with more pics!!! They are really random though…hehe… have been wanting to post them, but never had the time and opportunity! hehe… well, finally can post them now! Enjoy!

Beautiful pic of my delicious quiche!!! Yum! Baked this for my pals when they came over one evening. It was a great nite! And we surprised Jian Ming with a bday cake! hehe… And yes, we were cheeky as well, disturbed him by giving him a garlic as his pressie(He hates garlic!)!

The yummy cross-section… thank you to vince and your wonderful hp cam for taking such great pics!

Drool drool drool!!! =)

I was at Ikea and could not resist taking this pic with the colourful snake! (Hehe…and cos it reminded me of Anna dear! The Ssssssnake aka ‘Anna’conda of our gang!)

“Oooiiii! Cant you leave me alone and let me sleep in peace? I cant even get a good nap! And you had to take a pic of the sleepy me?!?”

Hehe… sorry Rufus!

I was out at Fish and Co and haha, ordered the big fish drink! It was HUGE!!!! Look at it! Scary man! I must remember to share that in the future! hehe…but at least, mine tasted pretty good! hehe..

Bah! Its too dark! Cant see whats in the background!
But yes, was surprised with a boat ride that took me from outside the Esplanade to around the Singapore River. It was WONDERFUL! I’m soooo blessed! hehe… 好幸福啊!